I am always hesitant to recommend things in price categories. It is not generally a good idea, because if you set a limit on what you want to spend, say $30,000 on a car, you could very well miss out on that $30,500 gem with the leather and premium sound system. In that case, you might be more than happy to snatch up the great deal because you value the perks more than the $500.
The same is true of wine. People who say they will not spend more than $10 on a bottle of wine are doing themselves a great disservice. Not that there are not solid offerings at the $10 and below price point; it's just that people eliminate some great wines just beyond that arbitrary cut-off (not to mention that moderate inflation will make that $8 bottle that's right in your sweet spot today just outside your reach in 2017 (better stock up while you can)).
All of that to say that I enjoyed a fantastic zinfandel the other night that set me back $11. It was very full bodied, with big, ripe flavors of cherries and plums and a spicy kick that would go great with pizza or spaghetti. You're looking for the 2007 Rosenblum Paso Robles zinfandel.
Paso Robles is an appellation in the center part of California known as the Central Coast. Growers there produce some of the best zinfandel grapes in the state. Rosenblum is one of the most noted zinfandel producers in the state. That combination comes together to make an outstanding value that you should plan to enjoy in the near future.
Don't be daunted if you look for this in a well-stocked wine shop - Rosenblum produces a lot of zinfandel. Just zero in on what I'm describing here and you can save the rest to try later. I've included a picture of the label to help you out.
Cheers!
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I feel like it is CHRISTMAS in July and I just got what I wanted!!! ("I got...this!")
ReplyDeleteAs your favorite reader (yes, Ashleigh, Kate, and other fans of this blog, I just threw down that gauntlet...) I want to thank you for this post! I really appreciate the suggestion and can't wait to take you up on it. We are having lasagna tonight and if I can find a bottle at Weg...er...Publix, I'll pick one up on the way home!
I think you can make a deal with your readers: If ever you feel compelled to share with us your fave wines in a price range, we will agree to never let the arbitrary ceiling stop us from buying that next great bottle. We'll use prices in terms of range only. $10-ish, $20-ish, $50-ish, etc. Fair enough?
I have now created a list in my iPhone where I will keep these little gems so that I can search them out next time I'm at Weglix (part Publix, part Wegmans in my mind).
And speaking of Zins, Paul and I enjoyed a great Cline Zin the other night! I wrote about it in our wine journal and referenced our first Cline -- the Cashmere we enjoyed in Cozumel! Great times, great wines!
Cheers :)